Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in Fort Lauderdale, FL

It’s a quintessential Fort Lauderdale experience, y’all. Be it hopping on a buddy’s boat for a day of fishing or chartering a vessel for a day of fun in the sun, boating is an undeniable heartbeat of the 954. Hunger and thirst will inevitably beckon out on the water and under the South Florida rays. And fortunately, you don’t have to call it a day on the water for some stellar bites. From spots with a lux flair nestled on the Intracoastal to party-hardy, no-frills mainstays in-land, these restaurants are for rockin’ and dockin’.

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Loaded with history, this Lighthouse Point haunt has been a supper club, casino, and so much more in its 100 years. Today, it boasts a speakeasy vibe, killer Maryland-style crabcakes, and intimate dockage for those who don't want to weave the nearby peninsulas via car.

For an upper-scale pre- or post-boating option, Kaluz is primo. Its Fort Lauderdale location is on the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway, a stone’s throw from the ever-cozy village of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Save room for a slice of its key lime pie with a graham cracker-meets-pecan crust.

Since its 1982 opening, this Intracoastal restaurant, located just south of Oakland Park Boulevard, has morphed from a party-hardy spectacle to an elegant waterside destination. Among its menu standouts is an absolutely loaded lobster roll that will shut up even the most obnoxious of Boston-bred critics. Pro-tip: beyond docking your own boat, the Water Taxi stops here every 30 minutes.

In the epicenter of Downtown Fort Lauderdale near where Las Olas Boulevard and Federal Highway cross, this is the spot to watch small boats, yachts, the Water Taxi, and large touristy vessels weave by. Its oft-Mediterranean-inspired morsels are just as exciting as the views – if you’re craving something salty, the smoked fish dip and homemade chips are it.

Part of the Be Nice restaurant group – creators of Foxy Brown, Top Hat Deli, Lunchroom, and more – this is a Fort Lauderdale Beach, intracoastal-side place-to-be. This is a Fido-friendly restaurant, and limited dockage is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Post-docking, anchor any meal with its Scoobies – blue crab doused in garlic and oil.

Opened in 2024 and part of the Bahia Mar complex, you’ll find a food hall with eight culinary kiosks (local favorites Sushi Song and Blue Steel Pizza Co. among them), a ferry-gone-entertainment venue known as The Shorely, and more. Take out and pick-up are free and boats under 30-feet can dock for two hours for just $30.

Located in Lauderdale Marina and within striking distance of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale’s sandbar, and Downtown Fort Lauderdale, this is true boater’s heaven. There are two vibes here, so plan accordingly – the laid-back lower level and the more elegant, nautically-themed upper-level that feels more for a date night or family affair.

As unpretentious as it gets, you’ve seen this spot’s bumper stickers in South Florida and well beyond, “Eat fish, live longer; eat oysters, love longer; eat clams, last longer.” In 2024, the Cordova Road mainstay celebrated its 50th year in business, a testament to being a favorite for its raw bar and boater-friendliness.

Nestled among mega-yacht marinas along the South Fork New River just south of Davie Boulevard is this brainchild of Mike Linder. It’s a true dockside vibe, with live music and specials throughout the week, including Martinis & Oysters Thursdays, with $2 oysters and $10 Grey Goose martinis.

Rustic is in its name and indeed, this seafood house has been a Broward Country mainstay for more than six decades. If you’re a Rustic Inn newbie or long-time fan, its garlic crabs are as garlic-loaded as they get. Just off its blue canopied outdoor seating is a stretch for boat docking, too.

Anchoring the eastern edge of Hollywood’s North Lake is this sleek seafood house with an always-bumpin’ outdoor lounge. While sunrises get a lot of love around these parts, with an expansive lake-meets-Intracoastal view, make sure to dock your boat and catch a sunset here.

Loaded with history, this Lighthouse Point haunt has been a supper club, casino, and so much more in its 100 years. Today, it boasts a speakeasy vibe, killer Maryland-style crabcakes, and intimate dockage for those who don't want to weave the nearby peninsulas via car.

For an upper-scale pre- or post-boating option, Kaluz is primo. Its Fort Lauderdale location is on the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway, a stone’s throw from the ever-cozy village of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Save room for a slice of its key lime pie with a graham cracker-meets-pecan crust.

Since its 1982 opening, this Intracoastal restaurant, located just south of Oakland Park Boulevard, has morphed from a party-hardy spectacle to an elegant waterside destination. Among its menu standouts is an absolutely loaded lobster roll that will shut up even the most obnoxious of Boston-bred critics. Pro-tip: beyond docking your own boat, the Water Taxi stops here every 30 minutes.

In the epicenter of Downtown Fort Lauderdale near where Las Olas Boulevard and Federal Highway cross, this is the spot to watch small boats, yachts, the Water Taxi, and large touristy vessels weave by. Its oft-Mediterranean-inspired morsels are just as exciting as the views – if you’re craving something salty, the smoked fish dip and homemade chips are it.

Part of the Be Nice restaurant group – creators of Foxy Brown, Top Hat Deli, Lunchroom, and more – this is a Fort Lauderdale Beach, intracoastal-side place-to-be. This is a Fido-friendly restaurant, and limited dockage is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Post-docking, anchor any meal with its Scoobies – blue crab doused in garlic and oil.

Opened in 2024 and part of the Bahia Mar complex, you’ll find a food hall with eight culinary kiosks (local favorites Sushi Song and Blue Steel Pizza Co. among them), a ferry-gone-entertainment venue known as The Shorely, and more. Take out and pick-up are free and boats under 30-feet can dock for two hours for just $30.

Located in Lauderdale Marina and within striking distance of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale’s sandbar, and Downtown Fort Lauderdale, this is true boater’s heaven. There are two vibes here, so plan accordingly – the laid-back lower level and the more elegant, nautically-themed upper-level that feels more for a date night or family affair.

As unpretentious as it gets, you’ve seen this spot’s bumper stickers in South Florida and well beyond, “Eat fish, live longer; eat oysters, love longer; eat clams, last longer.” In 2024, the Cordova Road mainstay celebrated its 50th year in business, a testament to being a favorite for its raw bar and boater-friendliness.

Nestled among mega-yacht marinas along the South Fork New River just south of Davie Boulevard is this brainchild of Mike Linder. It’s a true dockside vibe, with live music and specials throughout the week, including Martinis & Oysters Thursdays, with $2 oysters and $10 Grey Goose martinis.

Rustic is in its name and indeed, this seafood house has been a Broward Country mainstay for more than six decades. If you’re a Rustic Inn newbie or long-time fan, its garlic crabs are as garlic-loaded as they get. Just off its blue canopied outdoor seating is a stretch for boat docking, too.

Anchoring the eastern edge of Hollywood’s North Lake is this sleek seafood house with an always-bumpin’ outdoor lounge. While sunrises get a lot of love around these parts, with an expansive lake-meets-Intracoastal view, make sure to dock your boat and catch a sunset here.

A company affiliated with the head of Jewish Culture High School acquired an office building in Fort Lauderdale.

On October 16, a 36,193-square-foot office building at 105 N. Federal Highway was sold for $19 million, which equates to $524.96 per square foot, according to Vizzda, a commercial real estate data provider.

Trending: Miami developer makes $35 million bid for 16-acre embattled property

The seller was 105 North Federal BSD, LLC, managed by Dan Arev. The buyer was JCHS 105 Property, LLC managed by Jewish Culture High School head Rabbi Aharon Assaraf.

The acquisition was funded by a $12.92 million mortgage from FirstNational Bank, Vizzda stated.

Arev, Asssaraf and Jewish Culture High School did not return inquires for comment. The school's website lists "N. Federal Highway" in Fort Lauderdale as an address. The school offers Judaic studies as well as secular academics in English language arts, social studies, science, math, physical education, and fine and performing arts. Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $28,500 plus other fees.

Demand for private schools rose dramatically soon after the pandemic as more affluent families move into the region from other parts of the U.S. and the world. A state voucher program for working and middle-class families that's worth about $8,000 per year has ramped up demand for private schools even further.

Arev's 105 North Federal BSD acquired the 16,117-square-foot parcel and building for $7.42 million in October 2019. The three-story building was also completed in 2019, according to the Broward County Property Appraiser website.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Florida Amendment Three is a citizen’s initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, joining 24 other states and the District of Columbia.

7News is taking a closer look at the amendment and breaking down what those who are for and against the proposed amendment are saying.

Here’s the first line of the proposed amendment:

“Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise […]”

But legal experts say there’s an important caveat.

“The average voter is going to think that by legalizing marijuana it will allow people to grow their own pot,” said Nova Southeastern University Law Professor Robert Jarvis. “And it does no such thing.”

Others argue, the legislature could pass a law allowing for homegrown, although that’s not likely.

The second sentence reads:

“Allows medical marijuana treatment centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.”

The group “Vote No On 3” address it this way in it’s commercial.

“Gives special licenses to select corporations. They wrote it, they rigged it and they hope you’ll fall for it.”

“It’s not a monopoly bill, it requires companies to be licensed and doesn’t discriminate between Florida based or not Florida based companies. It is certainly true that this amendment is being bankrolled by large corporations that have huge, you know, stakes in the game,” said professor Robert Jarvis.

The advantage, those in favor say it’s safety.

“This amendment will make sure there is an accessible supply of chemical grade, properly tested, unaffected, uncontaminated marijuana that can be purchased from a licensed dispensary, said Gordon Weekes, Public Defender at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office.

Those opposed, however, have other qualms:

“A fifteen-year-old will get their hands on marijuana. In fact I will tell you that you’re limiting a parent’s ability to teach their children and one of the tools was that it’s illegal, and now it will be refuted it’s no longer illegal,” said Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo.

“It’s basically a license to have it anywhere you want. There are no time, place, and manner restrictions. This state will start to smell like marijuana in our towns and cities. It will reduce the quality of life,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“I think there is going to be significant zoning around where marijuana can be used; businesses will still have full authority to prohibit the use in their spaces where appropriate,” said Gordon Weekes.

The amendment also “does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use.”

That limit is three ounces.

Experts also said employers can still require a drug test and not hire a candidate based on the result.

“You know, you do have to consider that,” said professor Robert Jarvis.

Those in favor said the sale of marijuana will bring in nearly $200 million in state and local taxes.

Those against it said it’s simply not worth the risk.

The amendment will have to pass with at least 60% of the vote.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Early voting at 33 polling locations in Miami-Dade and 28 centers in Broward runs daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 3.

Monroe County runs five early voting sites in the Florida Keys from Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

KNOW MORE: Want to vote before Election Day in South Florida? Here’s where — and tips to follow

Here are Miami-Dade’s 33 early voting sites:

▪ Arcola Lakes Branch Library, 8240 NW Seventh Ave.

▪ California Club Branch Library, 700 Ives Dairy Rd.

▪ Coral Gables Branch Library, 3443 Segovia St.

▪ Coral Reef Branch Library, 9211 SW 152nd St.

▪ Elections Department (Main Office), 2700 NW 87th Ave.

▪ Florida City Youth Activity Center, 650 NW Fifth Ave.

▪ Florida International University (Student Academic Success Center), 11200 SW Eighth St.

▪ Historic Garage, 3250 S. Miami Ave.

▪ Homestead William F. “Bill” Dickinson Community Center, 1601 N. Krome Ave.

▪ International Mall Branch Library, 10315 NW 12th St., Doral.

▪ John F. Kennedy Library, 190 W. 49th St., Hialeah.

▪ Joseph Caleb Center — Building A, 5400 NW 22nd Ave.

▪ Kendall Branch Library, 9101 SW 97th Ave.

▪ Kendale Lakes Branch Library, 15205 SW 88th St.

▪ Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 NE 59th Ter.

▪ Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Dr.

▪ Miami Dade College Kendall Campus — The Fascell Conference Center I, Building K, 11011 SW 104th St.

▪ Miami Dade College North Campus — Building 2, 11380 NW 27th Ave.

▪ Miami Lakes Mary Collins Community Center, 15151 NW 82nd Ave.

▪ Naranja Branch Library, 14850 SW 280th St., Homestead.

▪ North Dade Regional Library — Miami Gardens, 2455 NW 183rd St.

▪ North Miami Public Library, 835 NE 132nd St.

▪ North Shore Branch Library, 7501 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

▪ Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library, 2930 Aventura Blvd.

▪ Palmetto Bay Branch Library, 17641 Old Cutler Rd.

▪ Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

▪ Pinecrest Branch Library, 5835 SW 111th St.

▪ Rebecca Sosa Multipurpose Facility, 1700 W 56th Ave., Hialeah.

▪ Shenandoah Branch Library, 2111 SW 19th St, Miami.

▪ South Dade Regional Library — Cutler Bay, 10750 SW 211th St.

▪ Stephen P. Clark Center, Elections Branch Office, 111 NW First St.

▪ West Kendall Regional Library, 10201 Hammocks Blvd., Miami.

▪ Westchester Regional Library, 9445 SW 24th St.

Here are Broward’s 28 early voting locations.

▪ African-American Research Library — Fort Lauderdale, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. (NW Sixth St.)

▪ Broward College - A. Hugh Adams Central Campus — Building 3, Room 117, 3501 Davie Rd.

▪ Broward College North Regional Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd.

▪ Broward College — South Regional Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines.

▪ Broward County Governmental Center — Supervisor of Elections, Room 110, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

▪ Carver Ranches Branch Library — West Park, 4735 SW 18th St.

▪ Dania Beach Paul DeMaio Branch Library, 1 Park Ave. East.

▪ Davie/Cooper City Branch Library, 4600 SW 82nd Ave.

▪ E. Pat Larkins Community Center — Supervisor of Elections, 520 Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach.

▪ Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach.

▪ Ft. Lauderdale Branch Library/Art Serve, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd.

▪ Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center, 410 SE Third St.

▪ Handy, Inc., 1717 North Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

▪ Hillsboro Community Center, 50 Hillsboro Technology Dr., Deerfield Beach.

▪ Hollywood Branch Library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd.

▪ Island City Cultural Center of Wilton Manors, 600 NE 21st Ct.

▪ Lauderhill Mall — Supervisor of Elections, 1519 NW 40th Ave.

▪ Lauderhill Towne Centre Library, 6399 W. Oakland Park Blvd.

▪ Nob Hill Soccer Club, 10200 Sunset Strip, Sunrise.

▪ North Lauderdale Saraniero Branch Library, 6901 Kimberly Blvd.

▪ Northwest Regional Library — Supervisor of Elections, 3151 University Dr., Coral Springs.

▪ Pine Trails Park Amphitheater, 10561 Trails End, Parkland.

▪ Southwest Regional Library — Supervisor of Elections, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines.

▪ Spectrum —Supervisor of Elections, 4650 NW 21st Ave. Fort Lauderdale.

▪ Tamarac Branch Library — Supervisor of Elections, 8701 W. Commercial Blvd.

▪ Tyrone Bryant Branch Library, 2230 NW 21st Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

▪ West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation.

▪ Weston Branch Library, 4205 Bonaventure Blvd.

Here are the five early voting sites in the Florida Keys

Supervisor of Elections Offices:

▪ 5200 College Rd. Key West.

▪ 10015 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

▪ 102050 Overseas Hwy. #137, Key Largo.

Other Locations:

▪ Big Pine Key Community Park, End of Sands Road, 31009 Atlantis Dr., Big Pine Key.

▪ Islamorada Branch Library, 81830 Overseas Hwy., MM. 81.7 Islamorada.

Miami Herald

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Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment. He started his career in the Features department at the Miami Herald in 1991.